Suns News: Week 25 - The End of '16-'17

[pickle]

I'm not fully opposed to going back to the lottery next year if it means that we develop our young prospects properly and have more success down the road. In fact I'd rather do that than chase some low seed in the playoffs. These young guys have 4 years before we make a decision on whether we want to pay them. Bender is one year down, I want to know what he is soon. As far as hitting the weight room goes, he has clearly put on some weight, but he looks a bit chubby. I hope this additional weight doesn't hurt his mobility.

Love Alan Williams' energy but yeah, he's not the solution at 5 for us. I'm hoping we can get him back for a 5-6 mil contract. Len, I'd bring back for up to 10-12 mil. And Robin Lopez doesn't suck. He's not a starry name, but at this point I'd rather have him than Brook.

[JustWinBaby]

As much as I love Alan's energy and heart, he doesn't defend the paint like Len at all.

100% agree. Being limited athletically and only 6'8" makes him a bit of a liability on the defensive side of the ball at the center position. I love his story, his heart, hustle and intangibles. I would love to find a physically dominating player who intimidates defensively, has great hands and is fearless(might be a pipe dream, and I fully acknowledge that).

And that coming from a guy that is leaning towards saying don't bother to re-sign him at all above the QO. I really like having Tyson on the team for what he gives the young guys, being a hard worker, and a guy that played a huge role in his team wining a ring. But he isn't an intimidating presence on the defensive end either. If we do let Len walk, our plan can't be to get through the season with either Tyson or Alan starting, or either of them getting the majority of minutes at 5.

And I know there is some clamoring for Dragan/Chriss as our 4/5 combo, but unless we are good to be 10th-12th place in the West next year, that won't work yet.

The support of Len over Williams really makes no sense for next year. Even prior to going into full tank mode Len could not earn more court time minutes than Williams from our coach. This is without Chandler around and experimenting with the Dragan/Chriss combo.

It is really time to move on from Len. Some think that we should have waited for Robin freaking Lopez to develop. Does anyone want him back on our roster. He sucked and still sucks. That is what I think we have in Alex Len. I would rather watch Chandler, Williams and Bender takes turns at center with the possibility of picking up another option in the 2nd round or free agency then being stuck with another bad contract. Our defense might be slightly better with Len on the court but we are playing 4 against 5 on the offensive end.

I'm not supporting Len over Williams, other than Len is a better defender. I think we are actually pretty close in how we see this. Williams was better in so many categories this year, and I have a lot of skepticism over thinking Len will EVER really get it. I just don't see Williams as a long term solution at the center spot. I like him though.

I really would like to see us draft Ball, Fultz or Fox. Trade Bledsoe for a high lottery pick (Knicks, Orlando or Sacramento) and use the pick to draft to Markkanen. I doubt many like Markkanen but I do. I know he did not have a good tournament but he appears to be able to do what your big man will need to do going forward. I can easily see our front court being a real asset going forward. We could have three (Bender, Chriss and Marakkanen) skilled big men in the league in a couple of years.. That is why I do not want to keep Alex Len.

Unfortunately I think we will pick Jackson, whom I like, while keeping both Bledsoe and Len. After all Robert Sarver proclaimed Bledsoe an All Star.

[The Bobster]

We really don't have any idea what they're going to do until we know where they're going to draft.

[Cap]

We really don't have any idea what they're going to do until we know where they're going to draft.

Pretty sure it's going to be in New York.

[In2ition]

We really don't have any idea what they're going to do until we know where they're going to draft.

Pretty sure it's going to be in New York.

7/10

[Superbone]

We really don't have any idea what they're going to do until we know where they're going to draft.

Pretty sure it's going to be in New York.

7/10

I was going to go 8. I rather enjoyed it.

[TOO]

Harsh crowd. 8.5/10 Laughed audibly.

[Ring_Wanted]

I see Williams as a pretty adequate defender. Obviously doesn't jump out of the building but his position is usually good. Block rate is nice but there is much more to defense than that and since we are talking about stats, I always like to look at FG% allowed. Big Sauce is #78 overall (as always, >20games played, >11mpg) at 43.6%. Len, on the other hand, is #399 at 46.9%.

[Indy]

We really don't have any idea what they're going to do until we know where they're going to draft.

Pretty sure it's going to be in New York.

7/10

I was going to go 8. I rather enjoyed it.

Pretty good chuckle from me, so on my rating scale that is like a 9.2.

[Mori Chu]

No matter who we start at center, I think it's quite unlikely that we would make the playoffs next season. A more reasonable goal is 35-37 wins and a better winning culture. Even if we get a great draft pick, we are still going to have one of the youngest rosters in the NBA. And we still have some pretty deep flaws that 1-2 player swaps won't fix, such as being pretty underwhelming on defense and lacking enough 3-point shooting. Teams like this do not make the playoffs in the next year.

Look at the Timberwolves for a salient data point. They have a lot more young talent than we do, and they have a significantly better coach. And they didn't even come close to making the playoffs. That should give us a benchmark of how far we still have to go.

[JustWinBaby]

No matter who we start at center, I think it's quite unlikely that we would make the playoffs next season. A more reasonable goal is 35-37 wins and a better winning culture. Even if we get a great draft pick, we are still going to have one of the youngest rosters in the NBA. And we still have some pretty deep flaws that 1-2 player swaps won't fix, such as being pretty underwhelming on defense and lacking enough 3-point shooting. Teams like this do not make the playoffs in the next year.

Look at the Timberwolves for a salient data point. They have a lot more young talent than we do, and they have a significantly better coach. And they didn't even come close to making the playoffs. That should give us a benchmark of how far we still have to go.

While I am certainly not a Watson fan, I think the true Tom Thibodeau has show who is really is.

A great assistant but a highly overrated head coach.

I would put Minnesota's performance at the head of the class for the most disappointing season. Lot's of talent, no defense and a horrible record with a coach that is supposed to be a genius.

I think Watson did a better job with our group than Tom did with the Wolves.

[Mori Chu]

I don't want to rush to judgment on Thibs and the Wolves. Their first year was undeniably a disappointment, but part of it is that their team is super duper young. Even for a talented coach, it's hard to get a bunch of 21-year-olds to change all their habits and system right away. I want to see how they do next year after another offseason to learn and grow.

[Superbone]

No matter who we start at center, I think it's quite unlikely that we would make the playoffs next season. A more reasonable goal is 35-37 wins and a better winning culture. Even if we get a great draft pick, we are still going to have one of the youngest rosters in the NBA. And we still have some pretty deep flaws that 1-2 player swaps won't fix, such as being pretty underwhelming on defense and lacking enough 3-point shooting. Teams like this do not make the playoffs in the next year.

Look at the Timberwolves for a salient data point. They have a lot more young talent than we do, and they have a significantly better coach. And they didn't even come close to making the playoffs. That should give us a benchmark of how far we still have to go.

While I am certainly not a Watson fan, I think the true Tom Thibodeau has show who is really is.

A great assistant but a highly overrated head coach.

I would put Minnesota's performance at the head of the class for the most disappointing season. Lot's of talent, no defense and a horrible record with a coach that is supposed to be a genius.

I think Watson did a better job with our group than Tom did with the Wolves.

+1. The Wolves seem to have all the right parts. Especially with the addition of Towns. That guy is a beast. Must be nice having all those number one picks.

[Superbone]

I don't want to rush to judgment on Thibs and the Wolves. Their first year was undeniably a disappointment, but part of it is that their team is super duper young. Even for a talented coach, it's hard to get a bunch of 21-year-olds to change all their habits and system right away. I want to see how they do next year after another offseason to learn and grow.

And yet you want to rush judgement on Watson after a season and a third with the mish mash of talent he has to work with both young and old. And let's face it, your judgement on Watson came much earlier than now.

[carey]

And yet you want to rush judgement on Watson after a season and a third with the mish mash of talent he has to work with both young and old. And let's face it, your judgement on Watson came much earlier than now.

Yes, why does Thibs get the benefit of the doubt but we had Watson nailed 20 games in? Good observation. Probably because Thibs has a winning past that Watson does not. Yet being new at this, Watson's inexperience should grant him a longer leash because of the steep learning curve, and Thibs' vast experience (and loaded roster comparatively) should have afforded him a shorter one. Very interesting. Or it could just be that one is our coach and one is not.

[Mori Chu]

^ That is true; I have judged Watson much more quickly and harshly. I guess I just look for a process, for intellect, for cleverness, from a coach. Where are the plays? Where are the smart defensive schemes? Are players being put into good roles?

I will give Watson credit for maintaining a good team attitude and camaderie. He also has given the young players a ton of minutes, especially since the All-Star Break, which is wonderful. But I got the sense that he only gave those minutes because the upper management demanded that he do so.

I don't think Watson is horrendous. But I think he's profoundly mediocre and unimpressive overall. I don't think he is a coach who will guide a team to great success.

[Split T]

Speaking of Minny, is anyone else underwhelmed by Andrew Wiggins? The guy can score, but when is he gonna add anything else to his game. He doesn't rebound, doesn't create for others, doesn't even play defense, which was supposed to be his one sure fire skill.

He's still super young though, so we'll see. Booker is kind of in a similar situation, although he is even younger and shows flashes of creating for others.

Wiggins is 23/4/2
Booker is 22/3/3

[TOO]

I don't want to rush to judgment on Thibs and the Wolves. Their first year was undeniably a disappointment, but part of it is that their team is super duper young. Even for a talented coach, it's hard to get a bunch of 21-year-olds to change all their habits and system right away. I want to see how they do next year after another offseason to learn and grow.

And yet you want to rush judgement on Watson after a season and a third with the mish mash of talent he has to work with both young and old. And let's face it, your judgement on Watson came much earlier than now.

And 1.

[TOO]

And yet you want to rush judgement on Watson after a season and a third with the mish mash of talent he has to work with both young and old. And let's face it, your judgement on Watson came much earlier than now.

Yes, why does Thibs get the benefit of the doubt but we had Watson nailed 20 games in? Good observation. Probably because Thibs has a winning past that Watson does not. Yet being new at this, Watson's inexperience should grant him a longer leash because of the steep learning curve, and Thibs' vast experience (and loaded roster comparatively) should have afforded him a shorter one. Very interesting. Or it could just be that one is our coach and one is not.

And 1.

[Superbone]

I expect Thibs to be a much better coach than Watson at this point in their careers. Thibs has many years of experience as an assistant and head coach at this point. I agree that Watson has a lot to learn especially on the strategy side of things. Will he get there in his first head coaching stint with the Suns? I don't know but he seems like the type of person that wants to continue to grow and improve. I'm willing to give him some time with this team to see how/if they can grow together.